Anton Drexler

Anton Drexler (13 June 1884-24 February 1942) was the founder and Chairman of the Nazi Party from 5 January 1919 to 29 June 1921, preceding his student Adolf Hitler.

Biography
Anton Drexler was born on 13 June 1884 in Munich, Bavaria, and he worked as a machine fitter and a railway locksmith. During World War I, he joined the Fatherland Party, and in 1918 journalist Karl Harrer persuaded him to form the "Political Workers' Circle". The circle believed in nationalism and anti-Semitism, and in 1919 Adolf Hitler joined the group as its 55th member. In 1920 Hitler organized the party's largest meeting so far, with 2,000 in attendance. Soon, it became apparent that Hitler was becoming more powerful, and in 1921 Drexler nearly caused Hitler to leave the party when he decided to merge with the German Socialist Party. Mutiny began as the supporters of Hitler wanted him back, and he returned on the condition that he replace Drexler. Drexler left politics when the party was illegalized in 1923 after the Beer Hall Putsch, and he did not rejoin the Nazi Party until Hitler took power in 1933. Drexler was used as a propaganda tool, and he did not have any positions in the party before his death in Munich in 1942.